Canoeing to an Ancient Shell Midden and Ancient Rock Dam

On this trip we paddled up the Withlacoochee River to an ancient shell midden. Along the way we saw Florida limpkin, great blue heron, common moorhen, great white egret, osprey and American alligator. The temperature was perfect, about 85 degrees, and the sky was cloudless. The water was clear and the mosquitoes were minimal. We ventured up the Withlacoochee to some tributaries and paddled through areas overcome by thick hyacinth. Nonetheless, we managed to reach our destination. The Natives who lived in this area were associated with the Safety Culture Indians. Later, the Seminoles inhabited this area for a spell. In 1539, the Hernando de Soto expedition explored this area and bivouacked for a season while being sustained by supplies from the Indians who lived here.